9/14/17 Sprung from the LCW, same mission in Spirit of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, with charisms of the Holy Spirit "..to bring good news to the poor, liberty to the captives.." for battered women and children of foreign descent. Go to: Lambcatholic.blogspot.com,
EMAIL:lambcatholic@gmail.com.
Over 57,000 views from 98 countries! European Union viewers, research cookies that track you ("Google Analytics" and "Adsense"), to accept. See Lamb CW on Google Images.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

“Above All, Trust in the Slow Work of God” – Teillhard de Chardin

I will soon go on three weeks of retreat: two
silent ones at Our Lady of Consolation Shrine in Carey, Ohio and one at Gethsemane
in Trappist, Kentucky.The week
sandwiched between will have each day be half service and half silence – repairing
homes of those in need with the Appalachian Project people near Portsmouth/Otway,
Ohio.

I need your prayers as I continue to try to
trust in the slow work of God in bringing about The Lamb Catholic Worker Community,
(as we are constantly assured by Msgr. Mottet). The Holy Spirit is definitely,
yet slowly and steadily, preparing those who are the “ones” for this work,
including myself.On retreat I will pray
especially for us as well as for the women and children in my beloved birthplace
of Columbus, Ohio who are, as I write this, being victimized with intimidation,
fear, violence, and even death in their marriages and relationships.I pray especially for those women and
children with different native tongues who have absolutely nowhere to turn, who
are crushed in spirit, reduced to a shadow of a person, and have lost all hope.Dorothy Day, “friend of the forgotten,” pray
for them, and for us!

I will also pray in
thankfulness for the most exquisite and diverse range of Catholics in my city - with differing
flairs of music, spirituality, and gifts.We are all truly richly blessed by others very different from
ourselves.Imagine what the early Church
must have been like as Paul and Peter and the others brought more and more
converts into Christ’s Body from all over their known world.How beautiful it must have been for God to
behold - his creation coming together with love in His name, as now in
Columbus, Ohio!

Many visiting priests from great distances have
marveled at the love and intermingling of the very unlike nationalities St. Thomas the Apostle. The parishioners are
approximately 55% Hispanic, 20% African American or African, 20% Anglo, and 10%
other nationalities. The pastor, Fr.
Denis Kigozi from Uganda, is like St. John has been reincarnated, so to speak – the saint of: “God is
love; and he who abides in God abides in love.”He truly does live in love and live love in
his gentle ways and tone.Of the last
three things to remain: faith, hope and love, he embodies the greatest of these,
which is love.Stunningly gorgeous
babies and families are treated by him like famous movie stars at the Academy
Awards when one is being baptized, from the first minute of the mass when they
are called to the front, to the very end of mass.The choir itself is uniquely diverse and sings
a wide, wide range of songs with great gusto!

On retreat, I will pray
for my beloved country that is like no other in the world.It’s humble strength is evident most in the
openness Thomas Jefferson showed in designing it.He modeled it after the Native American
tribes (representatives, a chief, inner circles, and leaders of other areas
coming together), valuing that long ago,
extremely varying cultural practices far, far different from what was known,
but more suited for governing this “experiment in Democracy” than the typical
"white" European governments close to that time (monarchies, oligarchies). *note: The term for our president, "Commander-in-Chief," comes from these Native American roots. I pray for my country - for its future
direction, especially during this election year when it can get very ugly.This contempt and scorn greatly saddened
Coretta Scott King during the last election, on both sides equally.“Where did this hate
and outright disrespect come from?” she lamented.This was not the spirit her husband lived and
taught. I pray especially that religious freedom is protected and that assurances and laws followed protecting the right to not pay for what our religious beliefs consider a grave sin (and in regards to the "pill," paying for a Level One carcinogen for our young teenage girls and women, up there with asbestos and cigarettes, according to the World Health Organization, in addition to the immorality of it). It is difficult enough that our tax dollars go for Planned Parenthood abortions already. My fervent prayer is that this funding cease and all these gruesome practices (abortions and artificial contraception, which act as abortifacients with "break through" ovulations throughout the year) are not widened, encircling our young teenage girls and women, even if religious institutions are not forced again to pay the bill. Obviously, then, my equally fervent prayer is that we are not like the Pharisees or Scribes, of whom Jesus' blood boiled over, who would "lay down the law and not lift a finger to help." It deeply saddens one to hear out of one side of the mouth, not to abort babies, but then out of the other, that the mothers are undeserving, that the government shouldn't help them, and downright scorn for them instead of love, compassion, and HELP, (which would contribute to not aborting babies). I pray that wonderful Christ followers come forward in their personal lives to help. Dorothy Day always said that if every Christian household that could would have a Christ Room, there would be no need for Catholic Worker Houses. If every household would have one, perhaps there would be no need for struggling families and relationships to abort a baby of theirs when times are particularly rough. Also, I pray that the necessary programs and policies at all levels of government, especially the highest levels, are strongly in place and protected to help these vulnerable, marginalized women, children, and would-be-born babies - if we claim to be truly pro-life. The Consistent Life Ethic, highly prized (under other names) in numerous Church documents heavily support this natural conception to natural death valuing and protecting of all human life. Moreover, money diverted to them from the hundreds of billions currently wasted on making weapons of mass destruction (the use being a "crime against humanity" -Pope Paul VI) would be more along the lines of our social justice and peace encyclicals and pastoral letters. My prayer from the depths of my being are that we, who consider ourselves Catholic, embrace and follow these beautiful Church teachings and direction, and all others as well. On that note, our Catholic Church is a wide umbrella for its vast and varying assembly of followers; and my prayer is
that we cherish the expansive range of people in the Catholic Church, and remain squarely planted under this one “universal” umbrella.We would never consider poking a hole right
through it to raise separate umbrellas, nor follow those who do.We would notyank or tug the umbrella this
way or that way, to either extreme, in order to suit us, or to pull it our way. No, the umbrella of the Roman Catholic Church
is the Body of Christ in the world, His very Bride, whom we hold and uphold, cherish and build, that guides and protects
us on our life journey. Set firmly on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, it is durable and indestructable - so much so that the "gates of the Netherworld shall not prevail against it." A little tug here and there could be from the Holy Spirit, as we saw at Vatican II, led by Pope John XXIII, as well as at other critical points in history. We need though not to outright defy or resist the very umbrella that
keeps us! If disheartened by those things you feel God has put heavily on your heart, trust, then, in the slow work of God in our beautiful Church too! You can live life to the fullest in spirit
and in truth far more easily abiding in the Church, even with its human flaws. Overall, it is the guardian of Truth on a much grander scale than we can imagine, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is still Christ's Bride whom He died for and whom He cherishes dearly.I go on this retreat
most, most thankful for the role models of Peter Maurin, Dorothy Day, and my
personally witnessed ones of Msgr. Marv Mottet and Fr. Richard McSorley, S.J. – all four serving
the Church in heartfelt, humble, genuine faith and obedience.I did not realize their quiet, St.
Joseph-like strength and humility until more recent years when I have experienced Catholics in open defiance of major teachings of our Church. I am so proud of how Catholics have come together recently to stand as one voice against the breach of our religious liberty in expanding abortions and contraceptives with the new HHS mandate(s). My prayers on this retreat are for a future in our country of continuing to come together as Catholics, particularly on Catholic life and death issues of abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, decisions and policies adversely affecting the vulnerable poor, and unjust and immoral wars (as the Iraqi War was according to Pope John Paul II who was openly very against it). I pray for a deeper and more genuine sense of true humility to the Chair of St. Peter, handed down from Christ himself, as well as to all else that allows us to be called "Catholic." Finally, I pray for a refocusing, as Catholics, on that which brings us together - the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Word which covers 80% + of the most critical lessons and events of the entire Bible in a three-year cycle, our beloved prayers, songs, and responses, our love and honoring of Mary, as Jesus did, and of the saints, and our powerful, grace-filled sacraments to nurture and strengthen us! Please pray for me, for Msgr. Marv Mottett, and for others discerning the call to be a Catholic Worker. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us! Holy Spirit, guide and protect us spiritually and in every other way.

The Lamb

Catholic Worker Pledge and Prayer

O God, help me to valiantly live out the teachings of your Son, Jesus Christ, and of those He has passed down through His Bride, the Roman Catholic Church, so deeply revered by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. Through the intercessory prayers of Your dear mother, Mary, and of her beloved spouse, St. Joseph the Worker, patron saint of the Catholic Worker, I pledge to make the work of my hands this day, no matter how small, a life prayer of loving sacrifice to You. Fill me with Your inner peace toward all I meet today. Amen.

(note: Dorothy Day emphasized: "If you are not going to be obedient to the Catholic Church, then take 'Catholic' off of your banner.")

Patron Saint of the Catholic Worker

Daily Prayer to St. Joseph for Purity and Daily Pledge

One of the prayers a priest uses to bless the St. Joseph Purity cords:"God, the lover and restorer of innocence, we pray that Thy faithful who are to wear this cincture [cord] may, by the prayers of Saint Joseph, spouse of Thy Holy Mother, have their loins girded and hold burning lamps in their hands, and thus be likened to men and women who wait for their Lord when He shall return for a wedding, that when He comes and knocks the may open to Him, and be found worthy of being taken into everlasting joys; through Thee who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen."

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH FOR PURITYGuardian of virgins, and holy father Joseph, to whose faithful custody Christ Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed; I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that, being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart, and chaste body, ever serve Jesus and and honor Mary most chastely all the days of my life. Amen.

DAILY ADDITIONAL PLEDGE OF PURITY for those living in The Lamb Catholic CommunityFor single people of all ages and walks of life (including religious):Let this holy cord be a constant reminder of this daily pledge to be celibate in mind, heart, and body all the time without exception; and to remind me to pray for others. May our purity be upheld by and for the glory of God.For married people:Let this holy cord be a constant reminder of this daily pledge, as a spouse, to be chaste in mind, heart, and body all the time without exception; and to remind me to pray for others. May our purity be upheld by and for the glory of God.

When you belong to a confranternity, you have entered into a circle of people who are praying for you in your moment of weakness or temptation as you are for all who wear the St. Joseph Purity Cord. You have your back covered!

Luke 12:34-35 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands." Pray for the 17,000+ viewers interested in these prayers (as of Dec. 27, 2013).

How to Pray the Rosary Daily as Mother Mary Asked at Fatima (for world peace)

One way to pray the Rosary is to focus on the WORDS of the rosary (much slower pace, typically), which is self-explanatory.
Another is to meditate on the MYSTERIES of the Rosary, typically done at a medium, rhythmic, natural pace. Here you are focusing on the words of the few prayers at the beginning, end, and between the actual mysteries: the Creed, Our Father, initial Hail Mary, Glory Be, Hail Holy Queen, Memorare,The Rosary Prayer, etc. Within the rosary though, after announcing each of the 5 individual mysteries of a set (which is always done), you deeply meditate upon that mystery of the rosary itself, or scene from the life of Christ and of Mary by putting yourself in them while rythmically saying the 10 Hail Marys and fingering the beads. Doing something simple and rhythmic frees up your spirit and "monkey mind" as St. Therese de Lisieux called it - our minds that jump all over the place when trying hard to concentrate on one thing. By keeping it's more "automatic" side busy (that, say, drives a car without thinking while carrying on a conversation in the car) in a simple way, this frees it to focus clearly with newer heights of meditation and prayer. Thomas Merton especially emphasized this level of meditation (of repetitious prayers, prayer beads, and extremely deep meditation), which is in many major religions and religious people. Even though major mystics typically employed less words to enter into deep meditation, it has this effect time and time again. Not all can meditate upon the MYSTERIES of the Rosary - doing two things at once - which is fine.
Mother Mary asked at Fatima if we would pray the rosary daily for world peace. There's always new insights if you open your heart and soul, especially when asking the Holy Spirit to come and pray with you! Please see the new column in the bottom right margin called, "Being There: Putting Yourself in the Rosary Scenes." As you have newer insights (you will!) you may send them to us to share at: thelambcatholicworker@gmail.comTHE ROSARY PRAYER
In addition to the "Hail Holy Queen," at the end of the Rosary, as seen on most Rosary pamphlets and the "Memorare" ("Remember O most gracious virgin Mary, that never was it known, ..."), another wonderful end-of-Rosary prayer, is "The Rosary Prayer," an older powerful one - especially if you are the type to meditate on the actual mysteries during the Rosary:
THE ROSARY PRAYER
O God, whose only begotten Son,
by His life, death, and resurrection
has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life;
grant, we beseech Thee,
that while meditating upon the mysteries
of the most holy Rosary
of the blessed virgin Mary,
we may imitate what they contain
and obtain what they promise
through the same Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY ROSARY (prayed by Franciscans for centuries, and whose concepts are the flip side of the coin of other already existing mysteries - the Finding of Jesus in the Temple is the Loss of Jesus in the Temple, etc). These give a more full picture of the other mysteries, for deeper meditation. After each mystery, in block parenthesese, will be the corresponding mystery of the traditional Rosary.
1. The Prophecy of Simeon -Luke 2:25-35 [part of the Presentation]
2. The Flight into Egypt -Matt. 2:13-15 [Birth of Jesus]
3. Loss of Jesus for Three Days -Luke 2:41-50 [Finding Jesus..]
4. Mary Meets Jesus on His Way to Calvary -Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17 [Carrying the Cross]
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus -John 19:25-30 [Crucifixion]
6. The Body of Jesus Being Taken From the Cross -Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37 [Crucifixion]
7. The Burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47) [Crucifixion]
As mentioned in the Links, "Our Lady of Kibeho" is an excellent resource to deeply meditate on these mysteries while praying this unique Rosary, or the traditional ones (with these ideas and imagery painting a more detailed picture of those).
PRAY THE ROSARY DAILY FOR WORLD PEACE!
WALKING (OR JOGGING) WITH THE ROSARY AND CHAPLET
If you still are not sold on these two most critical daily prayers, you already know you have to keep your energy level up by regular exercise. While it is preferable to sit or kneel in quiet to deeply meditate, many of us have great trouble finding the time in a hectic day. Many do take time to jog or walk for exercise and health though (which is critical too!). Don't waste that opportunity to still "get in" your daily Rosary and Chaplet! In fact, the rhythmic pace of walking or even better - lightly jogging - greatly contributes to the rhythmic meditatative aspects of the repetitive prayers of the Rosary and Chaplet. This can be the best of all worlds. it is critical for our world as well. Prayer is powerful, especially this one!
One trick I learned is that since I do not want a Rosary dangling while running, I use my right hand for the first five of a decade and the left for the other. I simply jog with fists and stick out number one, then two, etc. on the right hand first, then the left. This becomes automatic and you deeply meditate instead of wondering where you are. You don't even have to think when you go right hand first, then left. I find a long street with almost no traffic or pedestrians to distract the meditations. If the meditation was not focused enough, I simply do that mystery again - of getting lost, with Christ, in the scene on which you are meditating.
Hope this helps! If you are already in a jogging group, start a Rosary and Chaplet jogging group! It will open up a whole new world for you and possibly help to save the world (both souls and the world itself from full blown war).

Are You Being Called to Become a Catholic Worker?

Justiceand Peace Shall Kiss On a silent retreat in 2005, Monica believes that the Holy Spirit enkindled in her the strong desire to open a 3-house Catholic Worker community for battered women and children of foreign decent (targeting the expanding Hispanic and Somali populations here) - Casa Guadalupe, Casa Romero, and Bakhita House. In telling others over the years, and after repeatedly hearing of the grave need, she embarked on this path, gathering co-Catholic Workers along the way. The original mission has since been modified to simply have women and children of foreign descent in any kind of desperate situation, but our soft spot in our hearts is particularly for those battered and abused ones. Our illegal Hispanic sisters particularly take abuse to not draw attention to law enforcement agencies who may deport them. The idea of a fourth house for food collection, storage and preparation has been an added inspiration for a steady supply of food since children will be involved. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us! Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, pray for a miracle to obtain these houses in a timely manner and to renovate them!

Whoa, Jesus and Mary at Your Right and Left

When you pray the Rosary daily, you may not feel the presence of Jesus and Mary while praying it (many times you probably will though). Afterwards, you look to the right, startled, whoa, there's Jesus; and to the left, whoa, there's Mary. There is no doubt they are standing right beside you and stay with you a long time. When you pray the Rosary daily, asking the Holy Spirit to pray with you and fill you, afterwards it is as though the Holy Spirit is and continues pouring and lavishing you with grace and with His very self, urging you to attempt to do His work in the world, to be His presence in the world. You walk away feeling more one with God.

Did Jesus Have a Sense of Humor?

Why did He call James and John "Sons of Thunder?" He did because they wanted to call down thunder upon a city that would not accept Christ. You can just picture Him saying, "Okay everyone, Sons of Thunder too, it's time to go." Also, He was thrilled when they returned after being sent out to preach, and came back with great stories.

Many Faces of Jesus: Modeling of Submission in His Baptism by St. John in the Jordan River

Appreciation of Grace-Filled Sacraments

Altar and Adoration of the Perfect Lamb, Jesus

The Unblemished Lamb of God in Sacred Scriptures

The Living Out of The Lamb Catholic Community Mission

The Lamb Catholic Community is a multi-house Columbus, Ohio intentional community design in the spirit of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, where we would be living out the Beatitudes, as Peter Maurin used to say, in addition to the following:

"In the Catholic Worker we must try to have the voluntary poverty of St. Francis, the charity of St. Vincent de Paul, the intellectual approach of St. Dominic, the easy conversations about things that matter of St. Philip Neri, the manual labor of St. Benedict."

We would live extremely simply in our dress, food, housing, furnishings and entertainment. We would share all or nearly all things in common and contribute our part in cooking, chores, responsibilities, expectations, and commitment. The primary purpose of this community, besides living like the early Church, is to provide hospitality, in the spirit of Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin, and the early Church communities for Hispanic battered women and children in two of the houses - Casa Guadalupe and Casa Romero, and those of Muslim and/or African decent - Bakhita House in a third house.The guests will have a time limit (such as one year), and hopefully will form their own little sub-communities with similar women to themselves, in order to move out near them, to help and support each other as a new “family” (babysitting, transportation, emergencies, etc).A fourth house is mainly to store, process (to prepare, can or freeze), and distribute the food - Loaves and Fishes House. It is difficult to obtain food donations from larger organizations because a house would be overwhelmed by the quantity that they want to get rid of at one time. Many companies will do only this or will not help at all. This way, this fourth house would hopefully have a couple of walk-in refrigerators and a walk-in freezer besides others, and large amounts of storage space for dry goods. It would be a choice for those to work in who do not feel comfortable working directly with the poor, but who want to lend a helping hand. It could be the safe meeting house for guests of the families (most will be coming from dangerous situations and we would not want to expose other families to danger), for daily mass, for Eucharistic Adoration (at times), for possible prayer meetings, for tutoring, for large meetings and/or gatherings (“Clarification of Thought,” in Peter Maurin’s design). This Loaves and Fishes House would be our main gathering place, so to speak, for larger groups. A fifth house, Lamb Catholic Worker Volunteer Corps House (531 Brookside Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43209) is modeled after the Jesuit Volunteer Corps design where people do not actually have the poor living with them, but commit to volunteering work directly with the poor and/or for the poor for a large portion of their time outside of this house. Most of this work will be with the Lamb Catholic Worker – with its planning, fundraising, renovating, maintenance, and eventually (and most importantly) with its guests and possibly former guests who still need support. The fourth house, Loaves and Fishes, will also oversee several "farm" gardens, or large city gardens, on and around the property, also in Peter Maurin’s design. These produce items would be canned in this house.Criteria for Enteringinto a Live-In Situation at The Lamb Catholic Community (*note-volunteers can come from all walks of life): -- Catholic or in the process of becoming Catholic --Preferrably has some service experience such as parish or other ministry (NET, SPO). religious training, Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer corps, Appalachian Project, etc., but this is not required --Has gone through “Protecting All God’s Children,” and has an FBI background check--Will make a commitment of at least 2-3 months, making promises in regards to the Catholic Worker Rule (rules, expectations), spiritual and personal holiness expectations, and participation Basically this will be similar to a religious order level of prayer, committment, and personal holiness. As a prayer base, a committment to…A minimum of 1 Hour of Prayer Daily which would include:§ Daily Mass§ The four Mysteries of the Rosary per week (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous) – Can be done while doing other things such as dishes, driving, jogging, doing laundry, cleaning, etc.§ Catholic Worker Pledge and Prayer, Prayer to St. Joseph for Purity of body and mind, Catholic Worker Pledge of Purity said often§ Chaplet of Divine Mercy when possible (hopefully at least 3 times per week)§ Scripture meditation§ 1 Additional hour per week of Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament (listening to our Lord). It is encouraged that this time not be on other prayers and reading, but in quiet listening to the still "quiet whisper" of the voice of the Lord, and conversation with our Lord, as He went off alone quite frequently to convene with the Father.§ Monthly - go to confession.Core members and volunteers would wear two outward signs of God and His grace: the St. Joseph cord for purity of mind, heart, and body (single: celibacy, married: chastity) and for a reminder to pray for the purity of others ; and of a Christian necklace of some kind (cross, crucifix, a fish (early church sign), a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit, etc).Please put prayerful reflection into this! Do not feel obligated because there are many other avenues to serve the poor. It is "a harsh and dreadful love compared to that in dreams," as Dorothy Day often quoted Dostoesvsky concerning the life lived with the poor. Aside from the poverty, it will be a more dangerous Catholic Worker than usual considering the people from whom these battered women and children are fleeing. The mission, as was Harriet Tubman's, is to bring our "sisters" to freedom. All of this requires a grounded, consistent prayer life and continuous connection to God.

Monsignor Marv Mottet

Msgr. Mottet promotes Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI's "Culture of Life" and "Culture of Pentecost." He holds fast to the newly coined, "Consistent Life Ethic" - also, "Consistent Ethic of Human Life," upholding every human life the world over from natural conception to natural death - all uniquely and lovingly created in God's image with sacredness.

Being There :Putting Yourself in the Rosary Scenes

PLEASE SEE THE ROSARY RELATED POSTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT MARGIN AS WELL

Joyful Mysteries

ANNUNCIATION (the fruit of meditating on this mystery: Humility)

-Mary's expectant "yes" and God allowing questioning as to how this can be done

-Greeting of Gabriel to Mary is the basis of the prayer, "Hail Mary," if anyone doubts the scriptural basis of awe and reverence for Mary

-What was Jesus' chromosonal pattern or DNA like under a microscope as it formed into cells, or divided?

-How could the God who encompasses all things be encompassed in a uterus, or become human by starting with the most tiny cells?

-a famout saint once said that the most astounding feat was not that God suffered and died for us, nor that He rose from the dead and opened Heaven - no, it was that He became a human

VISITATION (fruit: Love of neighbor)

-The famous "Magnificat" - "My soul doth magnify the Lord.."

-Mary was the first to truly know Jesus' power - as she carried Jesus in her abdomen, she knew he was not conceived of man, hence the praise and worship of God in her Magnificat

-How tricky and overwhelming to be in labor at age 14; to worry of dying in the desert if she gives birth on the way; no room as the time gets closer

- No bed to give birth in, but must give birth on the floor of a dirty stable (things may be high stress like this in our lives, but we can get through them too!); and childbirth without her mother

- What joy after the birth! Hearing the multitude of angels, seeing the shepherds, kings, gifts, etc.

PRESENTATION (fruit: Obedience)

-How Anna and Simeon's words must have stung (Luke 2:25-38) "He will be a sign of contradiction, a sword will pierce your [Mary's] heart, ...

THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

-This is poignant for anyone who has lost a child in public, particularly when you cannot find them or get to them for a period of time. You are frantic. Think of our fallen away Catholic relatives who have "lost" Jesus. Parents are panic-stricken, like St. Monica, who prayed untiringly for Augustine. Lord, help them find their way back to you

-No one can come to Jesus, "unless the Father draw him. What a priceless gift we have been given - that of our faith in God

-The thrill Jesus must have had to be "cut loose," so to speak, and impart wisdom and explanation to the holy men of the day at the Temple for three whole days!

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN (fruit: Sorrow for Sin)

-Picture His anguish over the torture that is about to happen. Have you ever had something coming the next day that you dreaded or agonized over? He fully understands human panic and anguish. "Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you." "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and those who are crushed in spirit, He saves."

-"Father take this cup away,..but not my will Yours be done"

THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR (fruit: Purity)

- What would it be like to be whipped with just two lashes over the same spot, once in your life - to know the level of torture that rips open sensitive skin, tearing it? Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," passed out in pain on the set making the movie when the whip had gone around his apparatus and actually got him once

-"By His stripes, we are healed ..." Heal me, Lord, of all bad things I may think or do. Humble me, Lord

THE CROWNING OF THORNS (fruit: Courage)

-With stinging back laid open wide in searing pain, they put on blindfolds and struck him hard on the thorned head, 1 inch thorns digging into his skull; all while they mocked him and spit on him. It makes any humiliation you suffer for His name and for His teachings and Way, seem easy

-We take on blows to crowned thorn head when people - especially family and friends - say critical words of Christ's way that we try to live, especially in the Catholic Worker

CARRYING OF THE CROSS (fruit: Patience)

-He accepted the cross being handed to Him - Father help me accept my crosses you have for me

-How heavy - like dragging large logs uphill through a forest, inch by inch; and with such stinging wounds on His back, shoulders, arms, neck and head; legs quivering under such massive weight until giving out and everything painfully crashing down on Him

-How did He ever get back up for more of the same when He knew He couldn't carry it's massive weight? Leg first, then arms to carry, and more weight on the bloody skinless shoulders

-What did Jesus' face really look like? The Shroud of Turin, believed to be His facial outline, is a great place to start. "This is the people who long to see your face"

CRUCIFIXION (fruit: Perseverance)

-Excruciating - No split-second of relief- He couldn't pull up on His hands to relieve His feet nor rest on His feet to relieve His hands - everything stinging, throbbing, begging for a split second of relief. If you have ever had to dig a deep splinter out of your hand or a finger (or foot) and needed a minute to rest from the pain and soreness of digging it out, this excruciating pain had no rest; indeed, those most excruciating points of pain held up his entire body weight - constant irritation and rubbing of the open wounds! May we unite what little suffering we have to Christ on the cross

-How very, very hard the crucifier must have had to pound the heavy hammer onto the crude spike/nail again and again to get through the solide flesh of Jesus' doubled feet

-We cannot imagine the excruciating suffering - writhing in pain but not able to move without much more pain; irritation at the open wounds for hours, tugging from the full body weight

-Mary witnessing all of this! She stood at the foot of the Cross staring up at her Son, her once little boy, who was suffering in agony. She is at the foot of our crosses. She brings us to the Cross, to our source of life and freedom, her Son, Jesus

-One account has Jesus on the cross for SIX hours (Mark 16: 1-39). "It was 9:00 in the morning when they crucified Him," with the next verse being the inscription put above His head

-Two times the word "loudly or loud" were used to show His outcries of overwhelming anguish and despair (same Gospel), and over the physical torture (if you are a who has passed a full-sized kidney stone or given birth without pain killers, you come a hint nearer to this level of nerves being shot and crying out)

- How God the Father must have suffered too! How difficult to watch and experience!

-Seven last words, or sentences (I thirst, it is finished, etc)

-What did/does Jesus really look like? The Shroud of Turin is believed to be His actual facial features. "This is a people that long to see your face!"

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

RESURRECTION (fruit: Faith)

-What state was His body in for the three days? God cannot fully die; did He descend to hell, as in one creed? What happened there?

-Was His body in a state of incorruption totally (like St. Margaret Josephine Bakhita) or in the process of corrupting, then fully restored?

-What was His first thought on coming back to life? What did it feel like? Or was He alive always, outside His body, then flew back in, so to speak?

-Did He dance around, or simply stand in awe?

-On the beach making a fire and laughing to Himself as He asks them to throw the net again; cooking the breakfast fish for them

- The road to Emmaus walk and breaking of bread

- Suddenly appearing, "Peace be with you," they being startled, and He eating a piece of fish to prove it was Him and not a ghost

-Putting my own hands into His hand wounds, touching them like Thomas

-"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, ..." (Jn. 14:27) Do we receive and solely be this peace to the world, His peace? Or are we channels of the opposite?

-Jesus telling them"But when he comes, the spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth." (Jn. 16:12)

-Picture gazing into His resurrected face, His eyes, ... one look would flood you with excitement and perspective of this fleeting life and the power of God if we follow Him and His ways alone, whatever He should want. Who else has power over life and death? In the end, after it all, the Lamb love triumphs.

ASCENSION (fruit: Hope)

-Jesus telling them that the Holy Spirit will come to them and stay until the end of time, guiding, directing, giving them power

-He floated up, then did He pick up speed, going past this and that like a rocket?

- What did the first split second of heaven feel like to Him?

- What was the clamor like in heaven receiving Him, especially knowing how the angels celebrated at His birth! And this after suffering in such loneliness, pain, and despair; what a celebration!

-Picture what Jesus looks like now, radiating in power and light (brighter than the Transfiguration): one look at Him having risen would clear away any doubt, pain, worry

-What did the Apostles think as they are watching Him float up into the sky, still looking when the angel came to speak? Can you imagine that sight! Nothing could contain you

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (fruit: Love of God) -Upper room, scared and wondering if they are next - Jesus coming through the wall; "Peace be with you," and breathing on them

-The apostles' praise and openness to the Spirit, then the whole vast assembly filled with the Spirit, caught up in praising and worshipping God, speaking in tongues; filled with His loving spirit toward all of many tongues; getting a taste of heaven

THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER TO HEAVEN (fruit: Grace of a Good Death)

-How tenderly God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit took their precious Mary by the hand, after all that she had been through, and brought her to heaven

-What a clamor when Mary set one foot in Heaven!

-Mary was so special that she was a pre-conceived design, with God planning for her creation before she even was conceived, and espoused her like no other human being

THE CORONATION OF MARY (fruit: Trust in Mary's Intercession)

-What is going on with Mary now in heaven? What is she doing?

LUMINOUS MYSTERIES

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (fruit: Openness to the Holy Spirit)

-How humble of our God to go through religious ritual, bowing His head down to be baptized by a man - what a great role model of humility in this modern, proud, and independent age!

-Put yourself in St. John the Baptist's position of pouring water over Jesus' humbled, bowed down hair on His head

-"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased," - don't we want to also be that beloved child, making Him proud and well-pleased with us too?

Wedding Feast at Cana (fruit: to Jesus Through Mary)

-Mary, the great elbow nudger! "They need more wine;" "Women, what concern is that of mine, my hour has not yet come;" "Do whatever He tells you;" "Fill these jars, ..."

PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM (fruit: Conversion and Trust in God)

-How did these apostles walk away from their lives - from everything and everyone familiar! Dropping their nets, leaving their tax post, or warm homes - and just follow Jesus?

-What about the rich young man starved to do more, but when asked to sell and and come follow Jesus, he left. What adventure he missed! And for his comfortable former way!

-Look how OLD Jesus was when He started all this! Thirty years old when life expectancy was probably 45! It's never too late

-He stayed up all night on the mountain in prayer before setting off to call the specific apostles for His work; so rooted in prayer always first; what a great role model! Jesus, help us to pray before everything major and even minor in our lives. Gather those who you call to The Lamb Catholic Community, Lord, as well as to all your other works of all kinds throughout the world!

TRANSFIGURATION (fruit: Desire for Holiness)

- One look at Him would have told them He is God; if He was that radiant then, how must He be in heaven?

-"This is my beloved Son, listen to Him."

INSTITUTION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST (fruit: Adoration)

-"Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of man and drink of His blood, you shall not have life within you. For My flesh is real food and My blood real drink." Many left Him over this, and He turneds to the apostles and said: "Will you leave Me too?" And Peter answered, "Master, where will we go? You have the words of everlasting life" -The tenderness of Jesus bent down washing your feet at the last supper, the top of His hair, His hands turning your feet this way then that, ... "Whoever wishes to be first must be servant to all"

-With what heavy, heavy arms He held out the bread, making it into His body - the agony in the garden minutes away. How did He lovingly think of them and future generations when His life was at such risk that very night?

-What humility of God to have become and continue to become a simple substance like bread then and through all times, over and over and over again

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Monsignor Marv Mottet

Monsignor Marv Mottet, a retired diocesan priest from Davenport, Iowa, is cofounder, along with Rev. Richard McSorley, S.J., of the St. Francis Catholic Worker Community in Washington, D.C. One house, under a new name, celebrated its 30th anniversary Dec. 16, 2011 and the other was sold to buy a farm and has continued giving retreats for the homeless with the original Catholic Worker people. He has been visited by Blessed Mother Teresa and has cofounded many organizations serving the poorest in our country. At the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 1978-1985, he headed the Campaign for Human Development. He has spent nearly his entire priesthood "trying to marry the charismatic movement and peace and social justice issues (including pro-life, anti-abortion)," more recently emphasizing Blessed John Paul II's promotion of a "Culture of Life" and a "Culture of Pentecost."